Finnish Forces

Colonel Vihma

Einar Vihma (1893-1944) Knight of the Mannerheim Cross #22. Vihma was one of the first Finnish jaegers and fought in the Finnish Civil War of 1918. He was known as true frontline leader and was highly respected by his men. He often led his troops at frontline and is also known to have personally led attacks armed with his Suomi M31. He participated in the recapture of Viipuri (1941) and had decisive role in the Battle of Tali-Ihantala (1944). The Mannerheim Cross (2nd class) was awarded to him on October 12, 1941. Vihma was killed by mortar barrage on August 5, 1944 at Ihantala. He was crossing open field and was spotted by Soviet forward observers, when checking the frontline positions in his usual style. Promotions: Hilfsgruppenführer (Squad second-in-command) - February 6, 1916 (Germany) Luutnantti (First Lieutenant) - March 12, 1918 Kapteeni (Captain) - May 16, 1919 Majuri (Major) - December 6, 1922 Everstiluutnantti (Lieutenant Colonel) - December 6, 1927 Eversti (Colonel) - December 6, 1933 Kenraalimajuri (Major General) - December 18, 1941 Commands held during WWII: 1st Brigade, November - December 1939, Karelian Isthmus. 12th Division, December 1939 - January 1940, Karelian Isthmus. 7th Division January - March 1940, Karelian Isthmus. 12th Division, June - December 1941, Karelian Isthmus. 6th Division, 1941-44, White Karelia & Karelian Isthmus.